Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan

Order of Canada, Order of Ontario Recipient

Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is a retired Canadian journalist, civil servant and refugee judge. He has received the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Golden Jubilee medals for his work as a journalist, his leadership of Muslims in Ottawa and his efforts to promote better understanding between Canadians of diverse faiths and backgrounds.

Their gratitude springs from the fact that they live in arguably the world's best country. They enjoy freedoms of religion and expression, democratic rights, the rule of law, the support of fellow Canadians and all levels of government, security and opportunities.

My experience with mosques and imams suggests that Fatah and Mansur are way off base when they blame mosques rather than internet. They are entitled to their views and the right to express them. But I think it would be more productive if the authorities, Muslims and other Canadians seriously studied the causes of the radicalization of a few individuals and determine how this threat could best be countered for all Canadians to live in safety and harmony.

In the United States gruesome murders are common and merit only passing attention. In a shooting spree, also in April, three people were killed at a Jewish community centre near Kansas City. The media did not mention the religion of the accused. Had they been Muslim their religion, and perhaps Muslims in general, would have been maligned.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is not a Canadian, he will only become eligible to apply for citizenship on June 16. But he is acting like one and is arranging a fund-raising gala in Toronto in June to raise f...

Canada and Iran have had a troubled relationship. Canadians still haven't been able to to figure out why their government snapped diplomatic relations with Iran and at this particular time. This is the second time in recent years that Canada and a Muslim country had a major disagreement.